In a bizarre turn of events at the ongoing Zanzibar International Film Festival, local movie, Escape was stopped from screening 15 minutes in its run.
“The officials came and stopped the screening of the movie because they felt that its message and not just the erotic scenes spoke against the ethos of Zanzibar as a Muslim nation,” said one individual who was watching the movie when it was stopped.
Director of the movie, Dr. Agnieszka Piotrowska said she would try and and get the film screened despite the rejection.
“When you think about what happened at ZIFF in Harare last year, there was a discussion about the erotic scenes in the film but the film was screened to an amazing applause. I feel strongly that I can do the work in Zimbabwe but Zanzibar is a different matter,” said Dr. Piotrowska.
To show the variations in cultures, ‘Escape’ was screened recently at Film Philosophy conference in Lancaster,UK, to an enthusiastic response.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the festival, Dr. Piotrowska presented a paper on collaborations and respect.
“My presentation was based on the analysis of a documentary about Africans in China called Yiwu particularly for the figure of Dr Hodani who is independent and strong.
“I highlighted that Escape deals with issues of mixed identity but also with the taboo of female sexuality. The conference focused in particular on China and Africa relations,” revealed Dr. Piotrowska.
